Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a hydrogen storage material that is formed by reacting solid precursors (a) and (b). The (a) precursor is a compound containing X—H and Y—H bonds, where X is a Group 13 and Y is a Group 15 element. Preferably X is boron (B—H) and Y is nitrogen (N—H). Most preferably, the precursor (a) is borazane. The (b) precursor is preferably a hydride, such as LiH or LiAlH4. Another feature of the present invention is a novel hydrogen storage composition material that is formed as an intermediate (INT) in the reaction of the (a) with the (b) precursors. The INT hydrogen storage material can be a quaternary B—H—Li—N composition. Other aspects of hydrogen storage materials are provided herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-burner gasification reactor for gasification of slurry or pulverized hydrocarbon feed materials and industry applications thereof. Burners are disposed on the periphery or top of a gasification reactor vessel, wherein the side burners are at a small downward angle relative to the horizontal plane, which can prolong the life of refractory bricks. The operating pressure of the gasification reactor is 0.1˜12 MPa, and the operating temperature thereof is 1350° C.˜1700° C. The gasification reactor is applicable to a hot-wall lining as well as a cold-wall lining. The notable advantages of the gasification reactor are carbon conversion is high and can reach 99%, and the effective gas content is high; specific coal consumption and specific oxygen consumption are low; and it is applicable to a large coal gasification plant that processes above 3000 tons of coal per day.

Abstract: An optimized gasification/vitrification processing system having a gasification unit which converts organic materials to a hydrogen rich gas and ash in communication with a joule heated vitrification unit which converts the ash formed in the gasification unit into glass, and a plasma which converts elemental carbon and products of incomplete combustion formed in the gasification unit into a hydrogen rich gas.

Abstract: A hydrogen production method that integrates a catalytic steam reformer and a gasifier. Hydrogen is generated in a catalytic steam reformer at a high production rate or design capacity. The catalytic steam reformer is then turned down to a fraction of design capacity while a gasifier produces the needed hydrogen. During the turned down state of the catalytic steam reformer, more of a hydrogen-containing stream formed from gasifier effluent is fed to the catalytic steam reformer as a feed thereby reducing the flow rate of feedstock required for the catalytic steam reformer in the turned down state. Optionally, hydrogen mixtures from the catalytic steam reformer and gasifier are fed to one or more adsorbers for hydrogen purification and adsorber effluent is fired as fuel in the steam reformer furnace to provide a majority of the heat needed for the reforming reaction.

Abstract: To provide a hydrogen storage alloy for an alkaline battery capable of having high performance of power characteristics much more beyond the related-art range, and a production method thereof, as well as an alkaline battery by investigating the constituent ratios of the A2B7-type structure and the A5B19-type structure. The hydrogen storage alloy for an alkaline battery of the present invention includes: an element R selected from the Group IV and the rare earth elements including Y and excluding La; and an element M consisting of at least one of Co, Mn, and Zn. The hydrogen storage alloy is represented by general formula: La?R1????Mg?Ni?????Al?M? (wherein ?, ?, ?, ?, ? satisfy numerical formulae: 0???0.5, 0.1???0.2, 3.7???3.9, 0.1???0.3, 0???0.2); and the constituent ratio of the A5B19-type structure is 40% or more in the crystal structure thereof.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for reforming a hydrocarbon fuel such as dimethyl ether (DME), methanol, ethanol, propanol, or any variants or other oxidized fuels is disclosed for generating hydrogen especially for supplying a fuel cell. Furthermore, a fuel cell system is disclosed which includes such an arrangement, especially for providing power to a stationary or mobile power consuming unit like especially an auxiliary power unit (APU) for application in aircraft, ships and vehicles, or as a part of a hybrid drive or as a sole driving unit for, e.g., a ship or a vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of Ti-doped alkali metal and/or alkaline-earth metal aluminium hydride, comprising intimately mixing: an alkali metal and/or alkaline-earth metal aluminium hydride, or at least one alkali metal hydride and/or alkaline-earth metal hydride, metallic aluminium and H2, with in the range of from 0.5 to 20 mol % of Ti(OCH3)4, based on the moles of Al in the prepared Ti-doped alkali metal and/or alkaline-earth metal aluminium hydride.

Abstract: A hydrogen separation membrane and its associated method of fabrication. The hydrogen separation membrane has a first material layer that is permeable to atomic hydrogen. The first material has a first catalytic ability to disassociate molecular hydrogen into atomic hydrogen. Complex particles are applied to the first material layer, either to produce a second layer or to act as a barrier between the first layer and a subsequent layer. The complex particles are hollow bucky structure, filled bucky structures or core particles coated with a hydrogen permeable metal. The complex particles prevent material from opposite sides of the hydrogen separation membrane from interdiffusing over time. Consequently, palladium based materials and Group V based materials can be used on opposite sides of the hydrogen separation membrane. This produces a hydrogen separation membrane that is more permeable to hydrogen in one direction than it is in the opposite direction.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved process for the storage and delivery of hydrogen by the reversible hydrogenation/dehydrogenation of an organic compound wherein the organic compound is initially in its hydrogenated state. The improvement in the route to generating hydrogen is in the dehydrogenation step and recovery of the dehydrogenated organic compound resides in the following steps: introducing a hydrogenated organic compound to a microchannel reactor incorporating a dehydrogenation catalyst; effecting dehydrogenation of said hydrogenated organic compound under conditions whereby said hydrogenated organic compound is present as a liquid phase; generating a reaction product comprised of a liquid phase dehydrogenated organic compound and gaseous hydrogen; separating the liquid phase dehydrogenated organic compound from gaseous hydrogen; and, recovering the hydrogen and liquid phase dehydrogenated organic compound.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition comprising a complex hydride and a borohydride catalyst wherein the borohydride catalyst comprises a BH4 group, and a group IV metal, a group V metal, or a combination of a group IV and a group V metal. Also disclosed herein are methods of making the composition.

Abstract: A gas separation membrane and a method of manufacturing such gas separation membrane that comprises a porous substrate treated with a layer of metal-coated inorganic oxide particles and with the layer of such metal-coated inorganic oxide particles being coated with an overlayer of a gas-selective material.

Abstract: A method and catalysts and fuel processing apparatus for producing a hydrogen-rich gas, such as a hydrogen-rich syngas are disclosed. According to the method a CO-containing gas, such as a syngas, contacts a water gas shift catalyst in the presence of water, preferably at a temperature of less than about 450° C. to produce a hydrogen-rich gas, such as a hydrogen-rich syngas. Also disclosed is a water gas shift catalyst comprising: a) Pt, its oxides or mixtures thereof; b) at least one of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, their oxides and mixtures thereof; and c) at least one of Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Co, Ir, Ni, Pd, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, their oxides and mixtures thereof. The WGS catalyst may be supported on a carrier, such as any one member or a combination of alumina, zirconia, titania, ceria, magnesia, lanthania, niobia, yttria and iron oxide. Fuel processors containing such water gas shift catalysts are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of activating or regenerating a hydrogen storage material which contains at least one metal hydride. The at least one metal hydride is brought into contact with an inert solvent and the inert solvent is subsequently removed again. After contacting with and removal of the inert solvent, there is not only an increase in the reaction rate but surprisingly the hydrogenation also proceeds more completely. The present method is particularly advantageous when the hydrogen storage material contains at least components which interact with one another during absorption and desorption.

Abstract: Some metal hydrides permit reversible storage and release of hydrogen for a hydrogen using power-generator. But the surfaces of some metal hydrides or metal hydride precursors may be oxidized or have other coatings that inhibit hydrogen absorption or release. Such materials may be suspended in a suitable liquid of supercritical carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen and subjected to cavitation processing to break up such hydrogen impermeable surfaces or to fracture the particles so as to provide fresh hydrogen penetratable surfaces.

Abstract: Hydrogen gas at a hydrogen refueling site is cooled below liquid nitrogen temperature (e.g., about 80K) for more efficient adsorption of hydrogen on hydrogen adsorbent particles in the fuel storage of a hydrogen powered vehicle. When compressed hydrogen gas is available it may be cooled with liquid nitrogen and then sub-cooled below about 70K by a Joule-Thompson expansion. When liquid hydrogen provides hydrogen gas it may be cooled below liquid nitrogen temperatures by mixing with liquid hydrogen or by heat exchange with liquid hydrogen.

Abstract: A system for production, storage and dispensation of hydrogen gas from encapsulated metal hydride, the system employing sealed cylinders filled with water and rotatable containers stored with encapsulated metal hydride shells, slider base members with passages and slider paths disposed at the bottom end of the cylinders to receive the encapsulated metal hydride shells from the containers, baffles disposed both inside and outside periphery of the rotatable containers to rotate the containers that regulate and direct the flow of the encapsulated metal hydride shells on to the slider paths, movable hydraulic ramming members with disintegration sites and pistons disposed at the bottom end of the slider paths, to receive the encapsulated metal hydride shells and disintegrate the encapsulated metal hydride shells and disperse the broken shells into the cylinders filled with water, and a control panel disposed to regulate the flow rate and pressure of the generated hydrogen gas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for remediating an underground and/or aqueous contaminant. The method and apparatus utilize at least one electrically conductive surface to attract aqueous hydrogen ions. At the surface, the hydrogen ions interact with excess electrons to form dissolved hydrogen molecules. Dissolved hydrogen molecules provide a proton source for bioreactive material, either provided to or naturally occurring in the environment. The bioreactive material assists in the reduction of the contaminant into a less environmentally harmful compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and materials for the formation of hydrogen storage alanes, AlHx, where x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 6 at reduced H2 pressures and temperatures. The methods rely upon reduction of the change in free energy of the reaction between aluminum and molecular H2. The change in free energy is reduced by lowering the entropy change during the reaction by providing aluminum in a state of high entropy, and by increasing the magnitude of the change in enthalpy of the reaction or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Hydrogen storage materials which are liquid metal alloys in their discharged state, thereby facilitating their recharging by reaction with hydrogen gas.

Abstract: The inventive method for hydrogen sulphide and/or mercaptans decomposition consists in passing hydrogen sulphide and/or mercaptan-containing gas at a temperature less than 200° C. through a hard material layer (catalyst) which decomposes said hydrogen sulphide or mercaptans in such a way that hydrogen or hydrocarbons are released and sulphur-containing compounds are formed on a material surface. Said hard material is placed in a liquid medium layer. Said invention makes it possible to use a hard material (catalyst) without a periodical regeneration thereof.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for directly preparing an alkaline earth metal borohydride, i.e. Ca(BH4)2, from the alkaline earth metal hydride and the alkaline earth metal boride. The borohydride thus prepared is doped with a small portion of a metal chloride catalyst compound, such as RuCl3, TiCl3, or a mixture of TiCl3 and palladium metal. The process provides for mechanically mixing the dry reagents under an inert atmosphere followed by charging the mixed materials with high pressure hydrogen at about 70 MPa while heating the mixture to about 400° C. The method is relatively simple and inexpensive and provides reversible hydride compounds which are free of the usual contamination introduced by prior art wet chemical methods.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a hydrogen storage composition having a hydrogenated state and a dehydrogenated state. In the hydrogenated state, such composition comprises a hydride and a hydroxide. In a dehydrogenated state, the composition comprises an oxide. The present invention also provides methods of and compositions for regenerating a species of a hydroxide and a hydride material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for sustainable, continuous production of hydrogen and carbon by catalytic dissociation or decomposition of hydrocarbons at elevated temperatures using in-situ generated carbon particles. Carbon particles are produced by decomposition of carbonaceous materials in response to an energy input. The energy input can be provided by at least one of a non-oxidative and oxidative means. The non-oxidative means of the energy input includes a high temperature source, or different types of plasma, such as, thermal, non-thermal, microwave, corona discharge, glow discharge, dielectric barrier discharge, or radiation sources, such as, electron beam, gamma, ultraviolet (UV). The oxidative means of the energy input includes oxygen, air, ozone, nitrous oxide (NO2) and other oxidizing agents.

Abstract: Compounds are provided comprising at least one neutral, positive, or negative hydrogen species having a binding energy greater than its corresponding ordinary hydrogen species, or greater than any hydrogen species for which the corresponding ordinary hydrogen species is unstable or is not observed. Compounds comprise at least one increased binding energy hydrogen species and at least one other atom, molecule, or ion other than an increased binding energy hydrogen species. One group of such compounds contains one or more increased binding energy hydrogen species selected from the group consisting of Hn, Hn?, and Hn+ where n is a positive integer, with the proviso that n is greater than 1 when H has a positive charge.

Abstract: A system comprising solid media and a gaseous atmosphere, said solid media having a first condition which is hydrogenated and a second condition which is partially or fully dehydrogenated relative to said first condition, and wherein said gaseous atmosphere comprises nitrogen.

Abstract: Provided is a thermionic cathode doped with an increased binding energy hydrogen species and a method of making the doped thermionic cathode.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor doped with an increased binding energy hydrogen species and a method of making the doped semiconductor.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a hydrogen storage composition having a hydrogenated state and a dehydrogenated state. In the hydrogenated state, such composition comprises a hydride and a hydroxide. In a dehydrogenated state, the composition comprises an oxide. The present invention also provides methods of producing hydrogen, including for mobile fuel cell device applications.

Abstract: Planar ceramic membrane assembly comprising a dense layer of mixed-conducting multi-component metal oxide material, wherein the dense layer has a first side and a second side, a porous layer of mixed-conducting multi-component metal oxide material in contact with the first side of the dense layer, and a ceramic channeled support layer in contact with the second side of the dense layer.

Abstract: Tropospheric volume elements enriched with vital elements and/or protective substances as well as procedures for their production and application. The term “vital elements” applies to all matter supporting the development of life within the earth's biosphere and the term “protective substances” means all those substances which contribute directly or indirectly to the prevention of harmful effects on the earth's biosphere and in particular on man. Tropospheric volume elements in the form of clouds which contain contaminants and which can escape from industrial facilities due to damage or malfunction are enriched with protective substances which prevent the organism from taking in radioactive elements and minimize the extent of the area affected by the clouds and possess additional warning and identification properties.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved process for the storage and delivery of hydrogen by the reversible hydrogenation/dehydrogenation of an organic compound wherein the organic compound is initially in its hydrogenated state. The improvement in the route to generating hydrogen is in the dehydrogenation step and recovery of the dehydrogenated organic compound resides in the following steps: introducing a hydrogenated organic compound to a microchannel reactor incorporating a dehydrogenation catalyst; effecting dehydrogenation of said hydrogenated organic compound under conditions whereby said hydrogenated organic compound is present as a liquid phase; generating a reaction product comprised of a liquid phase dehydrogenated organic compound and gaseous hydrogen; separating the liquid phase dehydrogenated organic compound from gaseous hydrogen; and, recovering the hydrogen and liquid phase dehydrogenated organic compound.

Abstract: Some metal hydrides permit reversible storage and release of hydrogen for a hydrogen using power-generator. But the surfaces of some metal hydrides or metal hydride precursors may be oxidized or have other coatings that inhibit hydrogen absorption or release. Such materials may be suspended in a suitable liquid and subjected to cavitation processing to break up such hydrogen impermeable surfaces or to fracture the particles so as to provide fresh hydrogen penetratable surfaces.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for preparing hydrogen storage materials using low boiling point solvents or reaction media. Examples of such solvents or reaction media include dimethyl ether, ethyl methyl ether, epoxyethane, and trimethylamine. The synthesis of the hydrogen storage materials is conducted is a selected medium, and after synthesis is complete, the reaction medium is removed as necessary by moderate heating.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of reversibly storing hydrogen at industrially practicable temperature and pressure conditions. A stable hydrogen storage hydride is mixed with a destabilizing hydride. The stable hydride is capable of releasing hydrogen at a first energy level. When the stable hydride is in the presence of the destabilizing hydride, the stable hydride releases hydrogen at a second energy level. The second energy level is significantly reduced from the first energy level.

Abstract: To provide a hydrogen storage alloy for an alkaline battery capable of having high performance of power characteristics much more beyond the related-art range, and a production method thereof, as well as an alkaline battery by investigating the constituent ratios of the A2B7-type structure and the A5B19-type structure. The hydrogen storage alloy for an alkaline battery of the present invention includes: an element R selected from the Group IV and the rare earth elements including Y and excluding La; and an element M consisting of at least one of Co, Mn, and Zn. The hydrogen storage alloy is represented by general formula: La?R1-?-?Mg?Ni?-?-?Al?M? (wherein ?, ?, ?, ?, ? satisfy numerical formulae: 0???0.5, 0.1???0.2, 3.7???3.9, 0.1???0.3, 0???0.2); and the constituent ratio of the A5B19-type structure is 40% or more in the crystal structure thereof.

Abstract: A method and system for storing and evolving hydrogen employ chemical compounds that can be hydrogenated to store hydrogen and dehydrogenated to evolve hydrogen. A catalyst lowers the energy required for storing and evolving hydrogen. The method and system can provide hydrogen for devices that consume hydrogen as fuel.

Abstract: Processes are provided for the storage and release of hydrogen by means of a substantially reversible catalytic hydrogenation of extended pi-conjugated substrates which include large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with nitrogen heteroatoms, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with oxygen heteroatoms, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with alkyl, alkoxy, nitrile, ketone, ether or polyether substituents, pi-conjugated molecules comprising 5 membered rings, pi-conjugated molecules comprising six and five membered rings with nitrogen or oxygen hetero atoms, and extended pi-conjugated organic polymers. The hydrogen, contained in the at least partially hydrogenated form of the extended pi-conjugated system, can be facilely released for use by a catalytic dehydrogenation of the latter in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst which can be effected by lowering the hydrogen gas pressure, generally to pressures greater than 0.1 bar or raising the temperature to less than 250° C.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage material having improved hydrogen absorbtion and desorption kinetics is provided by adding graphite to a complex hydride such as a metal-doped alanate, i.e., NaAlH4. The incorporation of graphite into the complex hydride significantly enhances the rate of hydrogen absorbtion and desorption and lowers the desorption temperature needed to release stored hydrogen.

Abstract: Processes are provided for the storage and release of hydrogen by means of a substantially reversible catalytic hydrogenation of extended pi-conjugated substrates which include large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with nitrogen heteroatoms, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with oxygen heteroatoms, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with alkyl, alkoxy, nitrile, ketone, ether or polyether substituents, pi-conjugated molecules comprising 5 membered rings, pi-conjugated molecules comprising six and five membered rings with nitrogen or oxygen hetero atoms, and extended pi-conjugated organic polymers. The hydrogen, contained in the at least partially hydrogenated form of the extended pi-conjugated system, can be facilely released for use by a catalytic dehydrogenation of the latter in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst which can be effected by lowering the hydrogen gas pressure, generally to pressures greater than 0.1 bar or raising the temperature to less than 250° C.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a hydrogen storage composition having a hydrogenated state and a dehydrogenated state. In the hydrogenated state, such composition comprises an amide and a hydride. In a dehydrogenated state, the composition comprises an imide.

Abstract: The invention relates to materials for storing and releasing hydrogen and methods for preparing and using same. The materials exhibit fast release rates at low release temperatures and are suitable as fuel and/or hydrogen sources for a variety of applications such as automobile engines.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a fluid enclosure including a structural filler and an outer enclosure wall conformably coupled to the structural filler. Embodiments of the present invention further relate to a method of manufacturing a fluid enclosure. The method includes conformably coupling an outer enclosure wall to a structural filler.

Abstract: A catalytic electrode, cell, system and process for absorbing and storing hydrogen (H2) and deuterium (D2) from the gaseous to the solid ionic form. The cell includes a non-conductive sealed housing and a conductive catalytic electrode positioned within the housing which absorbs H2 and/or D2 gas and stores it in a solid ionic form. These electrodes are formed of palladium (Pd), titanium (Ti), or zirconium (Zr). Each end of the electrode is plated with a layer of gold and encapsulated with a curable resin to form a confinement zone for H± and/or D± storage. The process includes connecting an external d.c. electric power source to each confinement zone during H2 and/or D2 gas loading of the electrode to cause a plasma-like reaction to occur which drives the H2 and/or D2 in the electrode to each encapsulated confinement to effect long-term storage of the ion form H± and D± in a solid form for later use.

Abstract: Solid waste resource recovery in space is effected by pyrolysis processing, to produce light gases as the main products (CH4, H2, CO2, CO, H2O, NH3) and a reactive carbon-rich char as the main byproduct. Significant amounts of liquid products are formed under less severe pyrolysis conditions, and are cracked almost completely to gases as the temperature is raised. A primary pyrolysis model for the composite mixture is based on an existing model for whole biomass materials, and an artificial neural network models the changes in gas composition with the severity of pyrolysis conditions.

Abstract: A method of forming ?-alane. The method includes reacting aluminum trichloride and an alkali metal hydride to form an alane-ether complex solution. An aqueous diethyl ether solution is optionally added to the alane-ether complex solution to form a partially hydrolyzed ether/alane-ether complex solution. A solution of a first crystallization additive is added to the alane-ether complex solution or to the aqueous ether/alane-ether complex solution to form a crystallization solution. The first crystallization additive is selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, polybutadiene, polystyrene-co-polybutadiene, polyisoprene, poly-alpha-methylstyrene, polystyrene-co-polyindene, poly-alpha-pinene, and mixtures thereof. Optionally, a second crystallization additive is added to the crystallization solution.

Abstract: A gas generation system includes a chemical reactor configured to produce a gas from a continuous flow of aqueous solution, and includes a pump configured to control the flow of the aqueous solution through the chemical reactor to control a production rate of the gas.

Abstract: A catalyst for the hydroprocessing of organic compounds, composed of an interstitial metal hydride having a reaction surface at which monatomic hydrogen is available. The activity of the catalyst is maximized by avoiding surface oxide formation. Transition metals and lanthanide metals compose the compound from which the interstitial metal hydride is formed. The catalyst's capabilities can be further enhanced using radio frequency (RF) or microwave energy.

Abstract: Representative embodiments provide for a fuel activation device including a fuel storage chamber configured to store a plurality of fuel pellets arranged as a stack. A fuel dispensing device is configured to transport a fuel pellet to a fuel activation chamber. A spring is configured to advance the fuel pellets toward the fuel dispensing device as one or more fuel pellets are removed from the stack. A fuel initiator is configured to activate a release of hydrogen gas from the transported fuel pellet. The fuel activation device is configured to provide the hydrogen gas to a fuel cell through a gas vent. A method is provided including providing a plurality of fuel pellets arranged as a spring-loaded stack, transporting a fuel pellet from the stack, activating a release of hydrogen gas from the transported fuel pellet, and providing the hydrogen gas to a fuel cell.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for making and screening a combinatorial library comprising disposing in a substrate comprising graphite or boron carbide at least one reactant, wherein the reactants are lithium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium, aluminum or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing reactants; heat treating the substrate to create a diffusion multiple; contacting the diffusion multiple with hydrogen having at least two phases; detecting any absorption of hydrogen; and/or detecting any desorption of hydrogen.

Abstract: Processes are provided for the storage and release of hydrogen by means of a substantially reversible catalytic hydrogenation of extended pi-conjugated substrates which include large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with nitrogen heteroatoms, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with oxygen heteroatoms, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with alkyl, alkoxy, ketone, ether or polyether substituents, pi-conjugated molecules comprising 5 membered rings, pi-conjugated molecules comprising six and five membered rings with nitrogen or oxygen hetero atoms, and extended pi-conjugated organic polymers. The hydrogen, contained in the at least partially hydrogenated form of the extended pi-conjugated system, can be facilely released for use by a catalytic dehydrogenation of the latter in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst which can be effected by lowering the hydrogen gas pressure, generally to pressures greater than 0.1 bar or raising the temperature to less than 250° C.